| Today, July 24th, the Department of Housing and Urban Development released a proposed amendment to the Equal Access Rule, allowing homeless shelters to decide to house people based on their biological sex, not their gender. If enacted, this rule would encourage emergency shelters to force trans and cisgender women who present with masculine characteristics, such as facial hair, to sleep in the men’s shelters, putting them at risk of harm. This was made clear by a leaked memo telling staff how to “spot” a trans woman. But there’s still time to oppose this proposed rule change. We have until September 22nd to raise our PFLAG voices in opposition to this proposed change to the Equal Access Rule. You can also share your story about why transgender people deserve access to shelter under the trending tag #HousingSavesLives Consider this suggested message: I’m a member of PFLAG, and I oppose this proposed rule that would harm transgender people. One in three trasngender people have been homeless at some point in their lifetime and 70% who have been in shelters report experiencing harassment there. More than 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ+, so inviting harm to such a vulnerable population is cruel and inhumane. Submit your comment opposing this rule change TODAY. | |
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Colorado - First openly gay governor bans ‘gay and trans panic defense.’ On July 13th, Gov. Jared Polis outlawed a legal strategy which allows people to ‘defend themselves’ upon discovering someone’s gender or sexuality, making Colorado the 11th state to enact the policy. Gov. Polis was honored by PFLAG National as a Champion for Equality in 2019 when he was a Member of Congress. Maine - State begins to offer nonbinary option on birth certificates. The decision was put in place on July 14, which is International Nonbinary Day. Pennsylvania - Bloomsburg county fair dresses up a man to mock openly transgender Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine for a dunk tank. The county fair committee denies the anti-transgender roots of this activity, and Dr. Levine “remains laser-focused on protecting the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians as we navigate this ongoing pandemic.” PFLAG chapters in York, Greensburg, and Danville responded in coalition with other organizations in Dr. Levine's defense. Tennessee - Memphis-based nonprofit raises funds to build ‘tiny homes’ for Black trans women and non-binary people. Started by an organization known as My Sistah’s House, the project plans to construct 20 tiny homes in efforts to reduce the high percentage of Black, homeless transgender people. West Virginia - Rosemary Ketchum is the state’s first openly trans elected official. Ketchum will focus on the issues of poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse on Wheeling’s City Council. | |
Israel - Controversy sparked after an Israeli tahini brand, Al-Arz, announced that they would support an LGBTQ youth hotline. Although numerous vendors boycotted the brand, many LGBTQ groups commended the brand for their stance. Israel moves to ban conversion therapy. The bill still must pass two more readings in the Knesset until it becomes law. The bill would suspend the licenses of psychologists who administer this so-called therapy for at least five years. Netherlands - Nieuwegein ends friendship with anti-LGBTQ+ Polish city. After the Polish city of Pulawy declared itself a ‘LGBT-free zone’, the Dutch city of Nieuwegein announced that they would be cutting ties with their former twin city. Poland - President Andrzej Duda wins presidential election. The current Polish president had proposed banning adoption by members of the LGBTQ+ community if reelected. Numerous rural Polish towns announce that they are free of the “LGBT ideology.” EU officials are actively reviewing whether Poland should still receive aid from the union given the attack on democratic values. Sudan - The nation abolishes death penalty for homosexuality. This change came from the hard-fought efforts of the Bedayaa Organization, whose mission is to build LGBTQ+ community, share experiences, and access legal/health services in the Nile Valley regions of Egypt and Sudan. Turkey - İzmir mayor faces backlash from ruling AKP party for painting government building rainbow. Mayor Tunç Soyer is quoted saying “I am seeing and experiencing for the first time a conflict based on colours. Changing the colours of the columns is out of question.’’ Turkish television show’s filming license blocked due to including a gay character. After the filming license for “If Only” was blocked by the government because of the inclusion of a gay character, Netflix cancelled the show. United Kingdom - Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the UK, pledges his support for a ban on gay conversion therapy after the government completes a study on the topic. Regarding the practice “absolutely abhorrent” and without “place in a civilised [sic] society” Johnson announced that a study would be undertaken to determine how widespread the practice remains in the nation. | |
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